The National After-School Arts and Craft Enrichment Programme
(A Success Story)
The National After-School Arts and Craft Enrichment Centre began in January of 2005 as an initiative of the Department of Education for senior high school students (grades 10-12) under the direction of renowned Bahamian international artist Mr. Maxwell Taylor. He presently serves as a visiting instructor dividing his time between The Bahamas and the United States. Student artists are hand-picked by their school principals and art teachers to participate in the programme. In September of 2009, the programme was expanded to include talented grade nine students.
The Centre serves as a supplementary support provider for exceptional art students who are completing art coursework at their respective junior and senior high schools. The majority of these students receive “A” passes in the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations.
Since 2006, students in the programme have participated in the Central Bank’s annual Art Competition and Exhibition and have won many awards. During December 2009 Mrs. Wendy Craigg, Governor of the Central Bank, being much impressed with the students’ performances over the years, invited the Art Enrichment Centre to hold its annual exhibition at the bank. In 2010 students’ work went on display at The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), the premier Arts institution of The Bahamas. Students are entitled to sell their work once exhibitions have ended and all monies received go directly to the students and their families.
The Art Centre is a safe supervised environment where approximately 75 students (primarily male) over the course of a year, drawn from both government and independent schools, interact well with each other.
Mr. Timothy Nottage, Lead Instructor, feels that future artisans of the country would likely have attended this program. Mr. Maxwell Taylor reports that the students are exceptionally talented and capable of impacting the international art scene.
Charlthorn Strachan, a programme graduate from Doris Johnson Senior High School, returned as an assistant Instructor during the 2010 and 2011 Summer Workshops. He had been in the programme for three years. He is well on his way to obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education.
The Centre is supported by persons from all walks of life – parents, teachers and the wider community. The students have been especially pleased by how well their work is being embraced and the resultant sales.
Programme Goals:
- To foster an appreciation of art and craft as part of the defining characteristic of our culture
- To nurture and develop indigenous talent art the high school level
- To provide opportunities to showcase the work of young Bahamian artists and craftsmen
Summer Workshops:
- Student of grades 9-12
- recommended by Art Teacher or Principal
- Three (3) weeks each year
- Time: Monday to Friday, 10 am – 2:00 pm
Criteria for Admission:
- Must be a student of grades 9-12
- Student must be recommended by Art Teacher or Principal
- Student must present portfolio or samples of art work
Staff:
Mr. Timothy Nottage, Resident Lead Instructor
Mrs. Genevieve Brown-Richards, Centre Manager
Mrs. Caroline Beckford, Support Staff
Distinguished guest lecturers such as Maxwell Taylor, Antonius Roberts, John Beadle and Elizabeth Darling, retired Art Teacher have all positively impacted the programme.
Admission and Tuition Fees: none
Location:
The former Special Services building on Wulff Road, opp. A.I.D.
Hours of Operation:
Classes are held Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3:45 pm – 5:30 pm
Telephone Contact: (242) 393-7740 or (242) 394-5877
Fax: (242) 394-0165